http://cynicallife.com/ What's a nice Jewish girl doing in a dump like this? en-us 2009-10-11T13:25:30-05:00 2009-12-21T21:09:22-05:00 Thanks to everyone for the offers of support, guest rooms, and related pampering. Fortunately, I'm feeling quite a bit better in the past week or so. That's not to say that I might not take some of you up on your various offers, mind you, so don't convert your guest rooms into craft areas or gyms just yet. Truly, I was in a bad place ... one that felt far too familiar and, therefore, one that I thought I would remain in for much longer. I think it really helped me to write a little of what I was feeling,... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/10/001453.html It's so hard to see people at big gatherings when I am so unhappy with my work and so many aspects of myself and my life. Even the seemingly simple questions (How's work? What did you do this summer?) are painful. I love my work but hate my work situation (boss, overwhelming caseload, endless hours). This summer I worked and ate and slept. And cried, sometimes. I make few plans because I avoid talking on the phone (nothing to say) and don't go to places and events where I might see the people whose friendship and company I used to... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/09/001452.html I have not forsaken you, dear old blog, but my heart now belongs to Facebook. Hey, imaginary readers: If you know me in real life, please feel free to befriend me on FB. If you don't know me in real life but would like to befriend me on FB anyway, please e-mail me at shelleyAT cynicallifeDOT com and tell me who you are and why it wouldn't be foolish of me to be your FB friend. I'll think about it, then I'll ask the oracle, and I might get back to you about it.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/07/001451.html Summer is off to a flying start around here. Relatives have visited from far-flung locales and I have made some short trips, mostly to upstate New York and the Berkshires to visit family and friends. I'm back in the office today after about 10 days of this madness, and it's been a surprisingly peaceful day so far which I hope I haven't jinxed by saying so. New things happening here at work, too: We've hired a new staff member who will be starting in a couple of weeks. I've gone through formal testing for my deficient attention issues and have... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/06/001450.html It is pathetic how pleased I am about a brand new toilet seat. Also, why didn't anyone tell me (often enough) about all the hot age-appropriate men at Home Despot?... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/05/001449.html So here's my latest dilemma: Fancy Private University -- FPU for short -- has just created and posted a brand new, very high level position that is potentially* my dream job. However, my immediate and longtime supervisor at FPU is not my biggest fan and isn't likely to strongly (if at all) support my candidacy. This wouldn't be such a big deal if my supervisor weren't viewed as a major rock star within the institution and if her boss, who pretty much knows only what my director tells her about me, weren't (A) very highly placed and influential in the... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/05/001448.html Fascinating.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001447.html Do not pass 'Go'. Do not collect $200. If you haven't seen the unassuming Susan Boyle sing "I Dreamed A Dream" (from Les Miserables) on Britain's Got Talent, then go find a hankie and click here. Do it now, kidlets; this shouldn't be missed.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001446.html I highly recommend those reusable grocery bags. They're exactly as useful and functional for transporting groceries as they're advertised to be, and they offer the additional benefit, at my house, of providing Olivia's favorite new resting spot when empty. I'd provide you with photographic evidence if only she would actually rest on one of the bags when I come close. It seems that she is so sure she's going to be in trouble for lying on them that she bolts when I take a step in her direction. Or maybe she just wants to start a game of "Tag." Anyway,... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001445.html Cousin B. Ju's sister, Cousin Bea Ju, passed away yesterday, shortly after entering a hospice facility in Florida. She is survived by her stepson, his wife and their children. She was approximately 92 years old. The funeral will be held tomorrow near her former home in Manchester, NH. She will be missed by many in the extended Ju clan. There is one surviving sister, Cousin Sylvia Ju of Chestnut Hill, MA. Sylvia was the oldest of the three, and now she is the only one left. A whole era is slipping away.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001444.html Last Friday, I returned a call to the father of a student but got his voicemail. I left a message and the dad called me back just as I hung up. He told me that he was on his lunch break from work and had gone to the company gym to work out, and was planning to take his cell phone along on his run in case I called. And then he told me that he hadn't yet left for his run when I called; the reception was terrible in the locker room and he couldn't step out to take... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001443.html I've found a lot of things in my couch, but never something ... alive.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/04/001442.html Sorry -- too busy watching Cute Things Falling Asleep to post. Don't believe me? Resistance is futile.... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/03/001441.html About a month ago I realized that it was time. It had been far too long and I was mortified at the idea that the people I care about might discover just how bad things had become. So, I drew myself up, steeled myself for a difficult challenge, and I went shopping for socks. I bought about 15 pairs of socks. When I got home that day, I went through Le Drawer du Socks, collected the threadbare, the holey, the shrunken and the overstretched, and I put them all in one special place. I then tied off the special place... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/03/001440.html *tap* *tap* I'm here, but I think I've scared off all but a diehard or two. Hi! *waving* Thanks for stopping by from time to time even though there's only a rare payoff ... and not much of a payoff at that. I can't promise much today, either, but I felt compelled to post anyway. I've had a few tough months, with several significant deaths amongst my family and friends, plus a lot of pressure at work, all compounded by what some might call the winter blues. My boss seems to think that the way to motivate people is to... http://cynicallife.com/archives/2009/03/001439.html